MotoGP: Stoner fastest in Sachsenring practice

CASEY STONER set the fastest time in the second practice session at the Sachsenring, bagging the time just two-thirds of the way through the session.

The defending World Champion smashed the outright lap record at the German track, beating Dani Pedrosa's previous record, which was set on a Honda 990cc RCV211. But despite his blistering form Stoner crashed in the final few minutes, losing the front of his bike on the downhill right hander at the twisty track.

As Stoner and his Ducati parted company at 120mph, the Aussie was sent sliding across the Tarmac. He was relatively unhurt in the spill though, saying: "I've got burns on my elbows from sliding along the track but otherwise I'm OK.

"We were having some problems with the front tyre early on, we could get no more than nine laps out of it. We've made a change here today and things are good again."

James Toseland had another gravel trap moment at the end of practice, following his fall in the first session this morning. Thankfully he managed to stay on this time, setting the 16th fastest time of the day.